Despite Student Government Association President Sam Searcy’s negative endorsement, the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees (BOT) passed the recommendation to increase student fees. 

“I cannot in good conscience vote on something the student body feels so strongly against,” Searcy said. “I voted against the fee increase ... as I will do so again.” 

Two committees discussed the idea of a fee increase: the Student Development Committee and the Business Affairs Committee. The committees said they were convinced the fee increase was necessary, and there was no way to avoid it. 

“I’m happy that word got out that students weren’t happy with it. Maybe it will deter some fee increases in the future,” said Searcy on Monday. 

Both the BOT and Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski signed the recommendation and it has been sent to the Board of Governors for approval. “The decision will be made at their March meeting,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Development Dr. Gregory Blimling. 

The fee increase will go into effect next fall. 

The BOT also heard the chancellor’s comments on the possibility of a tuition increase. He said the next few years will be difficult for Appalachian, due to the devastation of East Carolina University. Funding originally intended for ASU will be redirected to help their school. The Board of Governors is discussing a tuition increase for all 16 UNC system schools. 

“We do not feel it is appropriate to lay an additional burden on the students,” Borkowski said. “I am not recommending a tuition increase.” 

Searcy agrees with the chancellor’s statement. “I am pretty happy that the administration has taken a stance against it initially,” he said. 

The main incentive for a tuition increase is to attract and keep better faculty members. Recently UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Charlotte BOT’s both voted to increase tuition to increase faculty salaries. 

Borkowski said ASU is concerned with losing faculty. The primary grievance faculty have is the lack of technological support, and Borkowski hopes they “can be proud ... of the high quality they are achieving” with the technological circumstances being what they are.